Hoboken Police Chief: 'Zero tolerance' on St. Patrick's Day doubles fines to $2,000

Jersey Journal file photoThe Hoboken St. Patrick's Day parade itself is the standard celebration of Irish pride and heritage. It's the surrounding revelry that gets out of hand.

Hoboken Police Chief Anthony Falco has reached out to residents and visitors of Hoboken in a letter regarding the upcoming March 6 St. Patrick's Day Parade and the community's actions on that day.

Falco plans to enact a heightened zero tolerance policy on that day, which requires all members of the police force to work and set the maximum fine at $2,000, doubling it from $1,000 last year.

Falco said his officers will be strictly enforcing all criminal and motor vehicle laws as well as all city ordinance violations.

"At times, some of our residents and guests become disorderly and unruly making it a difficult day for our residents who do not celebrate the day," Falco said.

Last year, parade day was marred by people urinating from rooftops, bottles thrown from windows and more than 80 injuries. In all, some 400 summonses were given out.

According to a news release, here are the zero tolerance policy violations in effect on March 6:

1) City Ordinance 145-23 A/B (Consumption of Alcohol/Open Container in Public)- Any person seen possessing an open container of alcohol in public faces maximum penalties of a fine up to $2,000, and the possible sentence of having to perform Community Service.

2) City Ordinance 145-22 (Urinating in Public)- Any person observed urinating on public streets, sidewalks or in parks faces maximum penalties of a fine up to $2,000, and the possible sentence of having to perform Community Service.

3) New Jersey State Statute 2C:33-12 (Maintaining a Nuisance)- House parties have become our largest problem on the parade day. Last year my officers responded to 131 calls for disorderly house parties. This year, when a party is deemed to be unreasonably reckless, disorderly and unsafe, the renter or owner of the apartment or house will be charged with this statute. A person is guilty of this offense when one “by conduct which is unlawful or unreasonable, knowingly or recklessly creates or maintains a condition which endangers the safety or health of persons”, or when “one knowingly conducts or maintains a premises or place where persons gather for purposes of engaging in unlawful conduct.” The maximum penalties for this offense are imprisonment of up to 6 months and fines not to exceed $1,000.

4) New Jersey State Statute 2C: 33-2a (Disorderly Conduct, Improper Behavior)- A Person is guilty of disorderly conduct if “with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he, 1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior, or 2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.” This offense carries maximum penalties of a 30 day prison term and a fine not to exceed $500.